BJP predicts hung Assembly in TN, to move EC on freebies

Chennai, Apr 23 (UNI) Dubbing the freebies rolled out by the Political parties in Tamil Nadu as an attempt to ''bribe'' the people, the BJP today said the party would move the Election Commission (EC) to prevent such announcements.

Talking to reporters here former Union Minister and BJP National Secretary Bandaru Dattatreya said the BJP would file a petition before the EC highlighting these violations.

''The EC should take serious note of these announcements, as doling out promises like free rice, two acres of wasteland and free colour TVs is a serious attempt to bribe the people,'' he added.

He said more than 25 per cent of the people were living below the poverty line and if they were influenced by such promises, the EC should not remain silent.

Describing the freebies as ''empty promises'', Mr Dattatreya said these parties had been in power for so many years, but failed to implement these programmes.

Mr Dattatreya predicted a hung Assembly after the May 8 polls in Tamil Nadu and said the BJP would play the role of a constructive opposition.

Referring to remarks by the DMK that it was not averse to form a coalition Government and PMK often reiterating that it would not be part of the Government in the event of a coalition, Mr Dattatreya claimed ''no party, either the DMK-led DPA or the AIADMK-led combine will get a clear majority in the elections''.

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